EA Vows No Video Game Price Hike

Publisher and developer EA has confirmed it has no plans to increase the price of its games, even as competitors like Microsoft and Nintendo move to an $80 price point.

Speaking to investors during the company's latest financial earnings call, CEO Andrew Wilson stated EA's primary focus is to "deliver incredible quality and lasting value for our players." He cited the success of the hit cooperative adventure Split Fiction, which has now surpassed 4 million copies sold, as an example of this commitment.

"Our business model today is fundamentally different from what it was a decade ago when it came to pricing," Wilson explained. "While selling physical discs in retail stores remains a part of our operations, it's a significantly smaller portion. Our pricing now spans a full spectrum, from free-to-play offerings all the way to premium deluxe editions and more."

"Ultimately, whether a product costs one dollar, ten dollars, or a hundred, our goal remains constant: to provide outstanding quality and exceptional value for our community," Wilson continued. "We have consistently found that when we successfully combine quality with value, our business demonstrates strength, resilience, and sustainable growth."

"From a strategic guidance standpoint... we are not implementing any changes to our current pricing strategy at this time," added Chief Financial Officer Stuart Canfield.

This announcement will come as a relief to many gamers, especially following last week's news that Microsoft is increasing prices for Xbox consoles, as well as for controllers, headsets, and select games. The price adjustments for hardware and accessories are already in effect. While game prices are currently unchanged, Microsoft is expected to set the price for new, first-party Xbox titles at $79.99 starting this holiday season.

This shift is part of a larger trend within the AAA gaming industry, where the standard price for major releases has climbed from $60 to $70 over the past five years. Nintendo is adopting an $80 price for upcoming Switch 2 exclusives like Mario Kart World and other Switch 2 Edition titles. The Switch 2 itself was recently announced with a launch price of $450, a figure that drew criticism from some fans even as industry analysts acknowledged the higher cost was likely unavoidable given the current economic climate.

Based on EA's statement, consumers can anticipate that the next installments of EA Sports FC, Madden NFL, and Battlefield will maintain the $70 price point for their standard editions.

In related news last week, IGN reported that EA eliminated approximately 100 positions at Respawn Entertainment, the studio behind Apex Legends. These cuts were part of a broader restructuring affecting around 300 employees across the company.